tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtī-dᵊl 

1

a

: of, relating to, caused by, or having tides

tidal cycles

tidal erosion

b

: periodically rising and falling or flowing and ebbing

tidal waters

2

: dependent (as to the time of arrival or departure) upon the state of the tide

a tidal steamer

tidally

ˈtī-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of tidal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Current hazard assessments show tidal flooding in some California coastal cities has already increased by more than 550% since 2000. —Marcos Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026

Head to Butiama Beach near the charming capital, Kilindoni, or the southern shores of Chole Bay for cookie-crumb-like sands and scenic tidal flats. —Melanie Van Zyl, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2026

Read a book, fish off the dock, sketch the tidal landscape, play on the bar’s piano; make your overnight stay at the Cabbage Key home your own analog retreat. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026

The park’s position on Biscayne Bay and within a tidal estuary creates diverse conditions that attract anglers. —Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tidal

• tidal wave

Rhymes for tidal

• bridal
• bridle
• idle
• idol
• idyll
• seidel
• sidle
• widal
• apsidal
• subtidal
• fratricidal
• fungicidal

Kids Definition

tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtīd-ᵊl 

: of or relating to tides : rising and falling or flowing and ebbing at regular times

Medical Definition

tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtīd-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or constituting tidal air

interference with the normal tidal exchange of the lungs

—F. R. Mautz & R. M. Hosler